The best credit cards for rental car elite status
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Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That’s why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don’t cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Stephanie Stevens is an associate writer with TPG’s credit cards team. She focuses on creating timely credit cards content for TPG readers.
October 7, 2026 • 10 min read
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Several travel credit cards offer complimentary rental car elite status, giving cardholders access to perks that can make picking up a rental car faster and potentially more rewarding.
Depending on the card and rental car program, benefits can include skipping the rental counter, choosing from a wider selection of vehicles, receiving complimentary upgrades and earning bonus points.
And because some of these status levels would otherwise require numerous rentals or thousands of dollars in annual spending, this can be a valuable — and sometimes overlooked — credit card perk.
Here’s which credit cards offer rental car elite status, what benefits you’ll receive and how to enroll.
Credit cards that offer rental car elite status
Here’s a quick look at which credit cards offer rental car elite status and the status level you’ll receive with each program.
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*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply
Best cards for Avis elite status
Five of the cards in this guide provide complimentary Avis elite status, though the status level varies by card.
Avis Preferred Plus
Avis Preferred Plus typically requires completing 10 rentals or spending $4,000 in a calendar year.
With Preferred Plus status, you’ll receive benefits including:
- The ability to skip the counter and go straight to your car at most locations
- A complimentary one-class upgrade when reserving a midsize car or above, when available
- A code to receive a discount on rental rates
- Bonus Avis Preferred points with every rental
Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum cardmembers will need to enroll in the Avis Preferred program to receive their status. If you already have an Avis Wizard number, you can request an upgrade to your existing account.
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can activate their Avis benefits through their Chase account. Log in and navigate to your card benefits to see the available rental car offers and enrollment instructions.
Avis President’s Club
The Citi / AAdvantage Executive and United Club Card offer complimentary Avis President’s Club status, which typically requires 20 rentals or $6,000 spent to join.
President’s Club members receive benefits including:
- Complimentary upgrades of two car classes when available
- Guaranteed car availability when you book at least 24 hours in advance
- Expedited rental service
- 50% more points for every dollar you spend if you opt into Avis Preferred points
- A dedicated phone line for reservations and customer support
Citi / AAdvantage Executive primary cardmembers are eligible to enroll in complimentary President’s Club status through Aug. 31, 2028. You can enroll by visiting the Rewards page in your online account.
Best cards for Hertz elite status
President’s Circle is Hertz’s top published elite tier and typically requires completing 15 rentals or spending at least $3,000 in a calendar year.
President’s Circle members receive benefits including:
- Guaranteed vehicle availability
- Guaranteed one-car-class upgrades with every rental, when available
- 50% bonus points on Hertz rentals
- Access to the widest selection of vehicles
Venture X cardholders must enroll through the benefits tab of their Capital One account on the Capital One website or mobile app.* Eligible cardholders can also enroll authorized users through this process.
*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply
Best cards for National elite status
Executive status normally requires 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days. As an Executive member, you’ll receive benefits including:
- A guaranteed free upgrade when you reserve a full-size through luxury vehicle in the U.S. and Canada
- The ability to pay the reserved midsize rate when you choose any car (full-size and above) in the Executive Area in the U.S. and Canada
- The ability to bypass the counter and head straight to the Emerald Aisle for your pick of cars, when available
- Reward choices and one free rental day with six rental credits
- No second-driver fees for family members and business associates
- Exclusive rental discounts
Sapphire Reserve cardholders can activate their complimentary Executive membership through their Chase account. Log in and navigate to your card benefits to see the available enrollment options.
Which rental car status to use
National Emerald Club stands out as a favorite car rental program because of the ability to choose your own car from the Emerald Aisle Executive selection.
Another useful option is Hertz when renting with the Amex Platinum. In addition to complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status, cardmembers can receive a four-hour grace period on rental returns in the U.S. when they book using Amex’s designated Corporate Discount Program (CDP) code and pay with their Platinum card.
This can help you avoid an additional day’s time and mileage charges when returning your car a few hours after the original pickup time.
Status matching
Another way to earn value from these programs is to let them match your status. For example, Hertz offers a status match that should grant Hertz Five Star status to those with National Executive status.
Similarly, National’s status match program provides Executive status to those with Avis President’s Club status. If you hold elite status with one program and are thinking of switching, it can’t hurt to ask for a status match even if it isn’t explicitly offered.
Bottom line
Rental car elite status may not be the first benefit you think of when considering a travel credit card, but it can make your next rental more convenient. Depending on your card and the rental company, you could skip the counter, choose from a wider selection of vehicles, receive an upgrade or earn additional rewards.
If your credit card offers complimentary rental car elite status, make sure you enroll before your next trip, since these benefits generally aren’t activated automatically.
And even with elite status, compare rates across rental companies to make sure you’re getting the best option for your trip.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click .
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click .
